Artist's Perpetual Discovery presented at gallery

Perpetual Discovery

Catherine Whitnall

Sunderland-based artist Tania Guzman will share her Perpetual Discovery with patrons of the Lindsay Gallery until Feb. 23. The work follows a pendulum swing of dreamlike places to dark, mysterious realms.

(LINDSAY) Growing up surrounded by creative family members, it should be no surprise that Tania Guzman became an artist.

But, while she may have inherited their talents, the work currently on display at the Lindsay Gallery is totally her own; derived by her heart and soul.

Also not surprising is the title she has given the exhibit; Perpetual Discovery.

"Creativity was always emphasized in my home," said Ms Guzman whose father was an artist and most of her extended family delved, likewise, in the arts. "I felt lucky to have that."

Ms Guzman said naming the installation was simple.

All she did was turn the mirror.

"I am in a constant discovery of self," said Ms Guzman. "Art is a tool that helps me with that in an unconscious way. It's an ongoing evolution. I never intend to create a reference to the real world, but sometimes, narratives are created and they pop out on their own. I'm always amazed at that."

Ms Guzman also tries to embrace change and that helps keep her creative juices flowing and perpetually moving forward.

The work that emanates, offers a sort of cathartic therapy.

"Life, love, sadness, pain...I take that and release it onto the canvas."

Although she painted and sketched as a child, it wasn't until Ms Guzman was in her 20s that she knew she wanted to be a professional artist.

"I've always been very introverted," said Ms Guzman; a trait with which many artists can identify. "I dabbled a bit with drama, but I felt so much more comfortable being closed up in a studio. I needed that space. I realized how important it was for me to paint and deal with life through painting and expressing myself, that way."

To this day, Ms Guzman will often shut herself away in her studio, sealing off the outside world; her passion and paints her only company.

Over the years, she worked in various styles, yet it was the freedom of abstracts that captivated her most.

Ironically, for the person who preferred seclusion, the surrealism worked for her "because it wasn't confining me."

"It allows the work to just flow out. For me, it comes from heart and from my soul. It's an unconscious process. And that's the great thing for me," she explained. "When I look back at what I have created; it's amazing."

Ms Guzman continued her pieces usually begin with colour, then evolves into lines and shapes without force or intention.

"I love that I'm not thinking of what it needs to be," she said.

Ms Guzman hopes those taking in the exhibition, which runs until Feb. 23, will "take a step back", take it in and have and "experience" with each piece.

"I hope they find, like I have, that resonation within themselves," she said.

For more information on Perpetual Discovery, call the gallery - located on the second floor of the Lindsay library - at 705-324-1780 or visit www.thelindsaygallery.